• What does it mean to minimize all windows? "Minimize all windows" button in windows xp. How to switch open windows using the keyboard

    Many open windows can sometimes slow down your computer. This applies to both browser windows and the applications themselves. Closing them one by one is quite tedious and not very convenient. Also, a large list of windows makes it difficult to access the desired application.

    To solve this problem, developers have created, with which you can easily work with open applications. You can quickly close them (all or selectively), and also find what you need for work. For those who do not want or cannot perform commands using the keyboard, operations are available using the mouse.

    It takes a long time to work with the mouse; for these purposes it is best to use the keyboard. There are several key combinations:


    If the user needs all windows, except the one in which he is currently working, to be out of the way, press the “Win ​​+ Home” buttons. For a reverse reversal, select any of the combinations presented above or repeat the same.

    How to minimize windows with your mouse

    If the user does not want to use the keyboard, then the operation can be performed using the mouse. On Windows 7, 8, 10 there is an empty rectangle at the bottom right, when activated, windows will be minimized and minimized to tray. To turn them back, just press again.

    On Windows 8 and 10, this rectangle does not stand out, but it is there. To minimize windows you need:


    In the old XP system, this rectangle is not provided, so it will not be possible to minimize applications this way. On the other hand, there is a shortcut for such tasks. By default, it is located next to the Start button on the taskbar.

    If for some reason it is not there, you can add it yourself:

    1. Using Notepad, you need to create a document in which the following command is written, which can be copied.

    2. Then it is saved through the “File” - “Save As” tab (any name), but always in the “scf” format. It is advisable to specify the desktop as the shortcut location address.

    3. At the final stage, the resulting document is dragged to the quick access panel. The shortcut is ready.

    Important! Unlike the standard one, this shortcut will not appear next to the Start button. It will be on the quick access panel.

    Despite the fact that a special tray has been added for users of later versions of the system, if desired, you can create a shortcut to work with them using the same scheme.

    Minimize windows in MacOs

    In order to minimize windows when working on a MacBook, you first need to check what settings are installed.


    Note! If instead of F11 the user assigns another key, then in the second option it changes to the installed one (for example, F12 and Fn).

    You can also minimize by simply pressing the “F11” button, but it is necessary to note the use of function keys as standard.


    Done, the “F11” key is now responsible for minimizing windows.

    There is another way. Mission Controls installs a feature called Hot Corners.


    In addition, you can minimize applications in MacOs using the track pad. It performs “gestures” with different functionality. To work with windows (minimize/expand), you must simultaneously move four fingers (including the thumb) to the sides of the pad.

    Also find out detailed information about what options exist for quick and easy computer management from our new article.

    Hotkeys for other operations

    In addition to minimizing, hotkeys can be used for other window operations and more.

    For example, combinations with the “Win+” button:

    • left, right arrow – the selected application is attached to the left and right edges of the screen, respectively;
    • up, down arrow – expands and collapses the selected window;
    • “T” – switching shortcuts on the taskbar (one by one);
    • numeric keys – expands/collapses the window to which a particular number is assigned.
    • “E” – launch the file manager;
    • “S” – start search;
    • “R” – “Run” command.

    You can also work with windows using the “Alt” button:

    • by holding it and the “F4” key, it completely closes the window in which the user is working;
    • combination with the tab button “Tab” it is possible to switch between running applications.

    Combination with the “Ctrl+” key:

    • “Shift+Escape” - this is how the “Task Manager” starts;
    • “A” – select everything (in a document, on a browser page, on the desktop);
    • “C” – copy selected;
    • “V” – this combination pastes something copied from the clipboard;
    • By simultaneously holding down the key and scrolling the wheel, you select the appearance of the folders (icons, tables).

    For the most part, these combinations are used in Windows 10, but some of them are available on all versions of the system.

    Some Windows operations are available without using a mouse. The video shows some of them.

    Video - How to control the cursor without a mouse

    Any folder or application you select on your desktop or in the menu opens in a new window. In the upper right corner there is a set of standard programs with which you can close, minimize or maximize this opened window in one click. But what to do if a broken mouse interferes with your work, we will help you figure this out using the keys on the keyboard.

    The Windows operating system has a large number of keys, as well as their combinations, which are responsible for one or another action. Thus, even without using a mouse, you can easily perform many actions on your computer. Few people know about the capabilities of this operating system, but we will help you understand all the intricacies and learn the basics.

    1. Using Alt and Space combinations. When pressed, a menu controlling the window will be displayed. Navigation through this menu is carried out using the standard up and down arrows on all keyboards. Having selected the required inscription, press the Enter key to confirm the selection. You can also press Alt, Space (space) and C to simplify minimizing the window. You can move around the page using the up, down and Tab keys. Thus, moving around and finding the desired folder, open it by pressing “ENTER”.
    1. How to move a window. We are also ready to answer this question. To begin, minimize the active open window. We restore what is needed. Hold down the Alt key and press Tab. A control panel with open windows and programs will pop up in the center of the screen. To select the desired window, use the Tab key; as soon as the desired window or application is in the frame, remove your finger and press Enter or Esc.

    If you still haven’t been able to solve the problem with your cursor, we advise you to contact our professionals by ordering a service. The offer is relevant for legal entities in Moscow and the Moscow region.

    Video: How to control the cursor without a mouse

    You have to first minimize all the windows, and there can be a lot of them open. Clicking on a special icon on each window is inconvenient and time-consuming. If there are many resource-intensive processes loaded in RAM, everything happens slowly. You have to wait until one window is minimized, then the next, etc. But Windows provides several ways to minimize all windows very quickly. If you use them, the problem of freezing windows will no longer be a problem.

    Hotkeys

    For any version of Windows, from the most ancient to the modern 7 and 8, the keys work the same. To minimize all windows, there are two combinations:

    • Win+M;
    • Win+D

    where Win is a function key with an image of a branded flag, and M and D are letters in the Latin layout. (Just like other hot keys work regardless of the active layout).

    As you can see, the M key is located closer to the right edge of the keyboard, and the D key is closer to the left. Therefore, everyone can use the combination that is most convenient at the moment.

    For those who know English, this method can be remembered mnemonically as follows: M = minimize - “reduce”, D = down - “down”.

    Let's talk about a couple more interesting combinations that, unfortunately, do not work in all systems. Win + Home and Win + PgDown allow you to minimize all windows except the active one. This option is also sometimes needed, so check to see if the technique will work on your computer.

    Windows XP

    XP displays a special “Minimize all windows” button in the Quick Launch panel (to the right of the “Start” button on To quickly use the minimize function, do not place many programs in this panel - a maximum of three icons, including the button itself.

    If the panel is not displayed, enable it as follows:

    • Right-click on top of the Start button.
    • Stop at the “Properties” item.
    • In the window provided, select the “Taskbar” tab.
    • Activate the option to display the Quick Launch panel.
    • To exit, click OK or Apply.

    When all windows are minimized, you can restore them by pressing the button again (this will not work with hot keys).

    Windows 7

    Instead of collapsing all 7 will show the Desktop. The difference is small, but until now only *nix systems have done this.

    The button that performs this function is located at the very edge of the taskbar, to the right of the clock. Just as in the previous case, the button can be pressed again in order to restore the location and appearance of the windows to their original form.

    You can also show the desktop by right-clicking to open the taskbar context menu and highlighting the desired item in the menu.

    In both versions of the OS, you can also create a “Desktop” toolbar. It contains links to all desktop icons and can be used instead of minimizing windows.

    Don’t forget that quick launch exists precisely so that you don’t have to switch to the desktop to open a specific program. During installation, some applications themselves offer to “register” in quick launch, others you can insert there using Windows configuration tools - tweaker programs.

    He was a great original... Even the button "Collapse all windows" on his computer was on worker table…

    Users who love to “clean up” their Desktop and on Quick Launch Toolbars, often “sweep away” the icon (button) Collapse all windows/Shows Desktop. Removing it is easy, but restoring it is a little more difficult!

    IN Windows XP "Collapse all windows"- this is a team Windows Explorer (Windows Explorer Command), for which a kind of shortcut has been created - a file Collapse all windows.scf(extension .scf means Shell Command File). This file (79 bytes) is located in the .

    File Contents Collapse all windows.scf:

    Command=2

    IconFile=explorer.exe,3

    Command=ToggleDesktop

    IN Windows Vista icon Collapse all windows present - according to tradition Windows– on Quick Launch Toolbars, but the disadvantage XP not fixed: this file (its disk address is ; size 258 bytes) can be deleted permanently as easily as in Windows XP.

    IN Windows Vista Collapse all windows (Shows Desktop) is a file with the contents:

    L A FE ’ayay Ђ зчЂ0ЧШЧ Ѕ ”( W) @ % S y s t e m R o o t

    % \ s y s t e m 3 2 \ s h e l l 3 2 . d l l , - 1 0 1 1 3 " % S y s t e m R o o t % \ s y s t e m 3 2 \ i m a g e r e s . d l l

    At the same time in the file desktop.ini (\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\) there should be lines:

    Shows Desktop.lnk=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-10113

    How to recover a file Collapse all windows/Shows Desktop

    Right-click on an icon-free surface Desktop;

    – from the window that opens, select New –> Text Document;

    – the icon of the created document will appear, give it a name Collapse all windows(or Shows Desktop);

    – open the document and enter (or simply copy) the following lines

    Command=2

    IconFile=explorer.exe,3

    Command=ToggleDesktop

    – save the file;

    – now so that the system “understands” that this file runs the command Collapse all windows, you need to change the file extension from .txt on .scf. This can be done in two ways:

    a) run Windows Explorer, by opening any folder, for example, by clicking on the icon My computer. Select menu Tools –> Folder Options…;

    · in the dialog box that opens Folder properties open the tab View;

    · in scrollable list Additional options uncheck the line Hide extensions for registered file types –> click OK;

    · change the extension .txt on .scf;

    · A system warning will appear: “After changing the file name extension, the file may no longer be accessible. Are you sure you want to change the extension? Not really";

    · authorize the extension change by clicking Yes;

    · check the box back Hide extensions for registered file types (My Computer –> Tools –> Folder Options... –> View –> Advanced Options): this is necessary so that you do not have any inconvenience in the future with renaming files;

    · put the file in a folder \Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch(For Windows XP) or to a folder \Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch(For Windows Vista), and place the label on Desk– on Quick Launch Toolbar;

    b) in an open text document Collapse all windows select menu File -> Save As…;

    · in the text field File name after the name Collapse all windows add a dot and an extension scf (Collapse all windows.scf);

    · on Desktop except for text document Collapse all windows.txt, a characteristic icon appeared Collapse all windows.scf;

    · text document Collapse all windows.txt can be deleted;

    · icon Collapse all windows.scf put it in a folder \Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch(For Windows XP) or to a folder \Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch(For Windows Vista), and place the label on Desk– on Quick Launch Toolbar.

    Notes

    1. XP-shny file Collapse all windows works great in Windows Vista And Windows 7 .

    2. For the same purposes ( Collapse all windows) you can use hotkeys: logo key Windows (checkbox Microsoft) + English letter key D(Russian letter IN). It's much easier and faster, and always at hand (even if the file Collapse all windows removed)!

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